Wire-fence clamp.



W. M. DILLON.

WIRE FENCE CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1912.

1,045,958, Patented Dec.3,1912.

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WASHINGTON M. DILLON, OF STERLING, ILLINOIS.

HIRE-FENCE CLAMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatent-ed Dec. 3, 1912.

Application filed March 18, 1912. Serial No. 684,646.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, idh-xsi-riNo'ron M. DILLQN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in the county of Vhite side and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wire-Fence Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to clamps for wire fences, and has for its purpose the provision of simple and eiiicient means for holding together the parts of the clamp when in use, and permitting the ready release thereof when it is desired to remove the clamp from the fence.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of my device as it appears when in position on the fence. Fig. 2 is a cross-section thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the locking devices. Fig. 4 is a detail, in perspective of one of the clamp plates. Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the wedges 9. Fig. 6 is a modified form of clamp, in crosssection.

The clamp is comprised of two parts 1 and 2, between which the wires 3 are held, the adjacent faces of the clamp pieces being preferably curved or corrugated in order to secure a better grip on the wires. Secured to the outer face of the part 1 is a series of clamp-plates 4, the projecting ends of which are provided with oppositely disposed recesses 5 and 6. Pivotally secured at one side of the part 2 is a series of locking bars 7, convenient to the clamps a, and adapted to be turned transversely of the part 2, so that the ends of said bars will be engaged by the recesses 5 and 6. Each of the bars 7 is centrally provided with an arch 8, beneath which a wedge 9 is held from accidental release by means of an outwardly projected lug 10 on the small end thereof. When the bar is in looking position the wedge is driven beneath the same, drawing the parts of the clamp tightly together. To release the same the wedge is driven outwardly again, and the bar turned to a position at one side of the clamp, as shown in Fig. 3. The wedge is then held in place by the lug 10, preventing the same from being lost or mislaid. The ends of the bars 7 are preferably provided with recesses 11 and 12, leaving projections 13 and 14 at the ends of the bar, against which the endplates of the clamp 4 are in contact when the bar is in looking position, the ends of the clamp being thus held from spreading apart when a pressure is exerted upon the parts 1 and 1., in stretching the fence. The force for doing this maybe applied through a chain 15 secured to the clamp, or other similar means.

\Vhen the part 2 is formed of wood the outer face thereof is provided with a metal strip 16 just beneath the wedges 9, to prevent the sinking of such wedges into the strip when being forced beneath the bars 7. When used with a wooden clamp-piece 1, the plates 4 are preferably provided with extensions 17, which aid in strengthening such strip, and prevent the plate 4 from cutting into the part 1 when the parts are drawn together by operation of the Wedge. The plates 4 can be loosely held against the part 1, but are preferably attached thereto as a matter of convenience.

In operation, the part 1 of the clamp is supported against one side of the strip of fencing to be stretched and the part 2 united therewith on the opposite side of the fence. The bars at are then turned into locking position and the parts drawn together by action of the wedges 9. A rigid connection is thus formed between the clamp and fence, permitting the application of power to the clamp to perform the stretching operation.

In Fig. 6 is shown a construction of the device wherein the parts 1 and 2 are replaced by metal channel-plates l8 and 19, between which the fence wires are held. The construction of the clamping means is substantially the same as hereinbefore described, except that the strip 16 is dispensed with and the plates 4 need not be provided with the extensions 17.

VVh-at- I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device of the class described, com prising a pair of clamp-members adapted to be removably held together; a plurality of clamp-plates engaging one of said members, and projecting beyond the other one thereof; locking-bars pivotally attached to the outer face of said last-named member, adapted to engage the projections of said clamp-plates, and provided centrally with outwardly projected arches; and wedges adapted to be forced beneath said arches and draw said clamp-members tightly together.

2. A device of the class named, comprising a pair of clamp-members adapted to be detachably united; a plurality of clampplates engaging one of said members and having projections extending beyond the other one thereof; locking-bars pivotally attached to the outer face of said last-named member, at one side thereof, adapted to engage the projections of said clamp-plates, and provided centrally with outwardly projected arches; wedges adapted to be forced beneath said arches and draw said clampmembers tightly together; and a metal plate interposed between said wedges and clamp member.

3. In a device of the class named, in combination with a pair of clamp-members, a clamp-plate adapted to engage one of said members and having angular projections extending beyond the other of said members, and provided with oppositely disposed recesses; a lock-bar, pivoted to the outer face of said last named member at one side thereof, adapted to engage the recesses in said projections when turned transversely of the clamp-member, and centrally provided with an outwardly projected arch; and a wedge adapted to be forced beneath said arch and draw said clamp-members tightly together.

4. In a device of the class named, in combination with a pair of clamp-members, adapted to be removably held together, a clamp-plate embracing one of said members and projecting beyond the other member at each side thereof, said projections being formed with oppositely disposed recesses; a lock-bar pivoted to the outer face of said last-named member at one side thereof, and adapted to engage the recesses in said projections; projections on the ends of said bar adapted to hold the ends of said clamp-plate from spreading; a wedge capable of being forced between said bar and clamp-member, and provided with a lug at its small end; and a metal plate interposed between said wedge and clampmember.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

lVASHINGTON M. DILLON.

Witnesses A. LUSE, M. J. HARRISON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

